(19)

(11)

EP 1 324 709 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.07.2003 Bulletin 2003/28 (21) Application number: 01973576.0 (22) Date of filing: 26.09.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/135, A61N 1/36, A61N 1/362 (86) International application number: PCT/US0130/239 (87) International publication number: WO 0202/6140 (04.04.2002 Gazette 2002/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (30) Priority: 26.09.2000 US 670370 (71) Applicant: Medtronic Inc. Minneapolis, MN 55432-5604 (US)	(72) Inventors: HILL, Michael, R., S. Minneapolis, MN 55410 (US) JAHNS, Scott, E. Hudson, WI 54016 (US) KEOGH, James, R. Maplewood, MN 55109 (US) (74) Representative: Hughes, Andrea Michelle  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)